Illustration XLVII c. 15th century

Curator: This is Illustration XLVII, a work by an anonymous artist held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's rendered in simple black lines. What catches your eye first? Editor: Well, the stark contrast and busy composition give it a dramatic, almost frantic, energy. It's like a moment frozen in time, a story unfolding. Curator: Indeed. Consider the physicality of creating this—the labor of carving the image in reverse on a block, probably wood, each line a deliberate act. Think of the printmaker. Editor: Exactly. And each copy, reproduced to spread a message, to influence. It really makes you think about the economics and societal impact of such readily available imagery. Curator: For me, it’s a glimpse into a world of faith and shared stories, rendered with such simple, unadorned honesty. Editor: The artist’s process, the printmaker’s labor, and how this image might have been consumed, these are things that give it its value. Curator: Perhaps. To me, it's just a mysterious piece, an old world frozen in this very image. Editor: And I find it a powerful tool for understanding social systems. Thank you for sharing, an interesting piece.